TRANSPLANT LABORATORY
The identification and characterisation of megakaryocyte-specific antigens
PG Dyson, B Bennetts, NG van Holst Pellekaan, LB To
We have studied the generation of megakaryocyte progenitors by CD34+ cells in liquid culture in response to recombinant human cytokines, in particular interleukin-6 and thrombopoietin. Our aim is to optimise this culture system to generate cells at varying defined stages of megakaryopoiesis in sufficient number for immunisation of mice for antibody generation. By immunisation of mice with a cocktail of Dami and Meg-01 cell lines we have generated 37 hybridomas with specificity for the megakaryocyte lineage. Thus far we have three monospecific antibody-secreting hybridomas with stable chromosomal arrangement ready for characterisation. These antibodies will be used to purify populations of megakaryocytic cells for studies of clonogenicity and in vivo engraftment potential using the SCID/NOD mouse model.